Dark chocolate's role in preventing and managing hypertension remains unclear, as a review of 13 studies found small sample sizes and conflicting results regarding its effect on blood pressure.
Does dark chocolate reduce blood pressure in the prevention and management of hypertension?
The efficacy of dark chocolate as a lifestyle intervention for hypertension remains unclear due to conflicting results and small sample sizes in existing studies.
The notion that eating chocolate would prevent or treat hypertension is appealing to many who produce and enjoy chocolate. Several studies have documented beneficial effects of dark chocolate on insulin action and endothelial function. However, the published studies on chocolate and blood pressure include a relatively small number of subjects, and results are conflicting. In addition, because of secrecy surrounding the production of chocolate and the unique sociocultural context of this popular food, research on efficacy and effectiveness is complex. This commentary summarizes 13 peer-reviewed studies on dark chocolate and blood pressure and raises questions relevant to its future as an evidence-based lifestyle intervention.
Egan et al. (Tue,) conducted a review in Hypertension. Dark chocolate was evaluated on Blood pressure. Dark chocolate's role in preventing and managing hypertension remains unclear, as a review of 13 studies found small sample sizes and conflicting results regarding its effect on blood pressure.
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